Атлант расправил плечи
“This is John Galt speaking”
Theexistenceofinanimatematterisunconditional,theexistenceoflifeisnot:itdependsonaspecificcourseofaction.Matterisindestructible,itchangesitsforms,butitcannotceasetoexist.Itisonlyalivingorganismthatfacesaconstantalternative:theissueoflifeordeath.Lifeisaprocessofself-sustainingandself-generatedaction.Ifanorganismfailsinthataction,itdies;itschemicalelementsremain,butitslifegoesoutofexistence.Itisonlytheconceptof‘Life’thatmakestheconceptof‘Value’possible.Itisonlytoalivingentitythatthingscanbegoodorevil.
"Aplantmustfeeditselfinordertolive;thesunlight,thewater,thechemicalsitneedsarethevaluesitsnaturehassetittopursue;itslifeisthestandardofvaluedirectingitsactions.Butaplanthasnochoiceofaction;therearealternativesintheconditionsitencounters,butthereisnoalternativeinitsfunction:itactsautomaticallytofurtheritslife,itcannotactforitsowndestruction.
"Ananimalisequippedforsustainingitslife;itssensesprovideitwithanautomaticcodeofaction,anautomaticknowledgeofwhatisgoodforitorevil.Ithasnopowertoextenditsknowledgeortoevadeit.Inconditionswhereitsknowledgeprovesinadequate,itdies.Butsolongasitlives,itactsonitsknowledge,withautomaticsafetyandnopowerofchoice,itisunabletoignoreitsowngood,unabletodecidetochoosetheevilandactasitsowndestroyer.
